Full Hare Moon

Tonight is the full moon, which is my monthly time for action and release: I look again at the “seeds of intention” I planted 2 weeks ago at the new moon and decide on my next steps to take; I take those steps; then I release my expectations in order to clear space for new ideas and new intentions.

This moon is called the Hare Moon, because this is the month when rabbits leap and play and mate. April is full-blown spring; the yellows and violets of March explode into all the amazing colors of the rainbow: orange tulips, pink azaleas, lilacs, fresh green, and the 'blue true dream of sky'.

Agenda for today:

1. Altar:

It's time to clear my altar, and discern what to put on it for the next four weeks. (For my thoughts on altars see About Altars). I generally keep it simple and choose only things that speak to me and feed me, and reveal what I believe in. I ask, what quality of Spirit do I want to invoke?

Today I put out-

• a carved soapstone dove for peace
• a golden candle for balance in the center

Each month at the full moon I put a motto or quote on my altar, to ponder. This month- my favorite spring poem:

2. Journal:
This month I celebrate life and love, and affirm that I am ready to give myself passionately to life, refreshed and renewed. I'm ready to say YES with vigor, and enjoy the surprises, confusion, and chaos that life brings. 

At the same time, I want to find a happy balance- Somewhere between emptiness and chaos is the state of just enough. Balance is about knowing what I really want out of my life, making a commitment, and sticking to it. It’s an ongoing dynamic process, a balancing act!

Today I will review the intentions I set 2 weeks ago, at the new moon. 

Do these goals all still seem vital? What are my next steps?
How might I find greater peace on my path? 
How might I find greater balance?

3. Practice at my theme:
My theme this month is balance- the balance of concentration and mindfulness, action and study, social and alone time, yearning and resistance. My intentions:

• Seek clarity in the chaos- what are my next steps?
• Move forward with steadiness and calmness on the path I choose. 
• Roll with what comes- life is an adventure! 
• Connect to the Spirit outside myself and within. 
• Notice (again) how satisfying it is just to be alive!

4. Take Action:

The full moon is a time to celebrate life, stay up late, see friends, exercise harder, and be more creative and outgoing. The crazy full moon energy builds and builds; it’s best to acknowledge it so it doesn’t throw me off balance. 

Today I will use that wild full moon energy to complete some projects I've been putting off, in the garden and in the studio.

Earth Week

Earth Day is coming up on Friday, and I plan to celebrate this whole week as Earth Week.

The first Earth Day was in 1970 and it still remains a big event in the environmental movement. Interest and participation in Earth Day has increased and spread around the world, with millions of people taking part.

I do many things everyday in my life to help the earth: I live in a small house; I walk and bike, and work at home; I buy used stuff and buy locally (to reduce fuel used for transportation); I use the library instead of buying books; I compost, recycle, and grow my own food... 

But it’s alright to ask myself “What more could I do?”

Yes, it’s often more expensive to be environmentally conscientious, but I know that my purchasing decisions have an impact on ecosystems. The companies that produce and sell products depend on my dollars, so they will listen and react to my behavior. Also, my health and my family’s health is at risk! I need to keep my priorities straight. And I need to stretch my limits to action.

Agenda this week:

"Come on, Mom, let's go!"

1. Earth Week petition walks:
I'm not sure yet how much time I'm going to have for Earth Week activities-- I may be on jury duty. But I know I will be out walking every morning with my girl Sadie!

I hope to say this prayer of petition each day on my walk:

That the Earth be cared for, I pray.
That we learn to live simply and lightly on the Earth, I pray.
That we stop poisoning the soil and seas, I pray.
That global warming is halted and reversed, I pray.
That protection of the Earth becomes the political priority, I pray.
Amen.

Collected in 3 blocks this morning...

2. Clean the neighbor-hood: 

I also plan to take a garbage bag with me as I walk in the mornings and go down a different alley each day.

3. Buy less meat:
Industrial meat production creates nasty waste and health problems. I'm going to increase my number of meatless meals this week, and see how long I can maintain that.

4. Research recycling, and teach:
I'm in charge of recycling at my church and it always amazes me what people put in there! It's called "wishful recycling"-- I want this to be recyclable, so I will put it into the bin, and then it is recyclable...

We have a co-mingle system in our town, and unfortunately, all the trash in the bins causes problems at the sorting plant- machinery shut downs and equipment damage. Also, a lot of trash gets into the recycled materials to be passed on to the mills.

Today I wrote a paper called "Why should I follow co-mingling rules?" and I plan to pass it on to my congregation.

5. Plant more flowers

6. Make some Earth Day art:

7. Make Earth Cookies: 

I got this idea from the Almost Unschoolers blog. One correction, though: She says the earth is about 70% water, but it's the earth's surface that is 71% water, not the earth itself. That percentage works fine for these cookies which only show the earth's surface anyway!

Ingredients:

• 2-3/4 c. flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1-c. butter
• 1-1/2 c. sugar
• 1 egg
• food color
• 3 tsp. baking cocoa

Yield: 2 dozen cookies-

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in an egg. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.

3. Divide the dough and color three-quarters of it blue by kneading food color in with your fingers. Color one-eighth green and one-eighth brown with a few teaspoons of baking cocoa.

4. Roll balls of blue dough and add bits of green and brown for the land masses.

5. Place onto lightly oiled cookie sheets and press a little to slightly flatten. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Let stand on cookie sheet for two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

Navratri Part 3

For the next three nights the Mother is invoked as Saraswati, the Goddess of learning, speech, music, and all the creative arts. Saraswati is dressed in white, holds a scroll and plays music on a veena. She is called the Flowing-One because she comes from the river, and offers the gift of fluidity in speech and thought. She is the embodiment of the knowledge of Truth and spiritual wisdom. Saraswati shines with the pure light and uplifting energy of sattwa.

On my path I pass through the stages that everyone has to pass through- one naturally leads to the next. As I eliminate an undesirable quality, I develop the virtue opposite to it. Each time I succeed in developing and strengthening my good qualities, I am ready to receive another bit of the Light, moving towards enlightenment- that is what the nine days of Navratri are all about.

Agenda Today:
1- Add to altar:

Saraswati is on the right, behind the white candle.
(Notice how tall my sprouts have gotten!)

On the seventh day of Navratri I add a tall white candle, as a symbolic form of Saraswati, and the light of sattwa.

2- Journal:
For the next three days I write about my inner wisdom, and the spiritual teachings or Truths I wish to understand better. Then I will find a book to study.

3- Visualization and prayer:
For these last three nights, I light the candle, and honor the intuitive aspect of the Mother-

I pray “Thank you, Mother, for providing energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing spring to come again, and for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. You are the earth. You nourish support, protect, and mother all creatures, all beings. I ask you to give me power to open my heart, and flow with the river of life. Bless me with an abundance of wisdom, happiness, peace, and creativity, and guide my voice to speak the Truth." 

Then I picture Saraswati sitting on the blossom of my heart, sprinkling me with cleansing waters, and shining the light of wisdom, peace, and Truth.

4- Saraswati Mantra:
I focus on my image of Saraswati and chant- 

• Om - the primodial sound 
• Aim - from which knowledge and powers of speech emanate 
• Sa-ra-swath-yai - goddess of wisdom 
• Na-ma-ha - I pray.

(You might want to chant along with someone who knows how. Many YouTube versions exist, and my favorite is here.)

5- Make sundal: 
Many Hindus eat only vegetarian foods during Navratri; often a different sundal (dry legume dish) each night. 

Served with homemade naan and green beans.

Ingredients: 

• 1 c. moong dal (yellow lentils) 
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder 
• salt to taste 
• 4 tsp. oil 
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds 
• 1 - 2 green chili peppers
• 1 tsp. fresh gingerroot
• 1/2 tsp. of lemon juice 
• 1/4 c. coconut

Yield: 4 servings-

1- Combine the moong dal, 3 c. water, turmeric, and salt in a heavy bottomed pan. Simmer on medium for 10 - 12 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not over cook- the moong dal should be soft, but still whole and not mushy. Drain and set aside.

2- Meanwhile, chop the green chili and mince the ginger.

3- Heat oil in a wok or frying pan, add mustard seeds, chili, and ginger. Stir and fry for a couple of minutes, then add the drained moong dal and saute for a minute.

4- Add grated coconut and lemon juice. Mix well. Serve hot.

Navratri continues

For the next three nights the Mother is invoked as Lakshmi, goddess of material and spiritual wealth. She is a beautiful golden woman with four arms, sitting on a fully bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud. Cascades of gold coins flow from her hands, and she wears gold embroidered red clothes, indicating her offering of prosperity. Lakshmi brings the growth and unfolding of whatever is life enhancing. 

The word Lakshmi comes from the Sanskrit word Laksya, meaning aim or goal. After Durga has destroyed the old structure of my personality, a constructive process can begin. Lakshmi heals and nourishes my spirit and brings me steadiness of mind. She bestows spiritual and material wealth, good food, health, and happiness. 

Lakshmi is in the center, above the bowl of coins.

Agenda Today:
1- Add to altar:
On the fourth day of Navratri I add a crystal bowl of coins from around the world, as a symbolic form of Lakshmi.

2- Journal:

For the next three days I will write about my inner life-giving force of creativity, and the qualities and habits I wish to cultivate.

3- Visualization and prayer:

For these next three nights I honor the constructive aspect of the Mother. 

I pray “Thank you, Mother, for providing energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing spring to come again, and for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. You are the earth. You nourish support, protect, and mother all creatures, all beings. I ask you to help me to develop and maintain patience, forgiveness, compassion, loving-kindness, and integrity. Give me the persistence to succeed at my goals, and bless me with abundant health and happiness.”

Then I picture Lakshmi sitting on the blossom of my heart, gently opening it to accept love and happiness into my life.

4- Lakshmi Mantra:
I focus on my image of Lakshmi and chant-

• Om - the primodial sound 
• Shreem -  from which beauty and feminine energy eminates
• Ma-ha - great
• Lak-shma-yai - goddess of wealth
• Swa-ha - create abundance.

(You might want to chant along with someone who knows how. Many YouTube versions exist, and my favorite is here.)

5- Rangoli:
Today I made a rangoli of Lakshmi's  footprints on the threshold of our front door, with chalk and rice flour, to welcome the Goddess of success.

6- Make sundal: 

Many Hindus eat only vegetarian foods during Navratri; often a different sundal (dry legume dish) each night. 

Tonight I made Sweet Corn Sundal.

Ingredients:

2 c. frozen sweet corn
1-2 green chilies
1 small carrot
2 Tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
1/4 c. grated coconut
salt to taste

1- Steam the corn in water according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.

2- Finely chop chilies and carrot.

3- Heat oil in a wok or frying pan; add mustard seeds and stir until they start to pop, then add chilies and carrots and sauté for a minute.

4- Add the cooked corn, salt to taste, and coconut. Stir and sauté for 2 minutes until all is combined. Serve hot or warm.

Navratri

Navratri is a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us. The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights and ten days.

Navratri is celebrated twice each year, in the spring and fall, because these are times when nature and people undergo great changes. Spring Navratri begins the day after the new moon in late March or early April, and is celebrated as a request to Shakti for a good growing season.

The nine nights of Navratri are broken up into sets of three, and during each a different aspect of Shakti is meditated upon- the Goddesses Durga, then Lakshmi, and then Saraswati. For the first three nights the Mother is invoked as Durga, goddess of strength and courage.

Durga is on the left, with the seeds in front of her.

Agenda Today:
1- Mother Nature altar:
Today I make an altar to honor Mother Earth, with flowers, incense, and diya lamps. My altar is in no way authentically Hindu- I make it for my own use, to remind me of the work I am doing. If you want to see an authentic puja, watch this video.

On the first day of Navratri I prepare a dish of soil, planted with seeds, as a symbolic form of Durga- the image is of the womb of the earth, and her creative energies.

2- Rangoli:

Rangolis are rice flour designs, made on the floor or sometimes on a metal plate. At Navratri a new design is made each day- with dots, squares, flowers, steps, birds, the names of Shakti, designs from Shakti's hands, patterns of her trident and, on the ninth day, the Lotus of the goddess's heart. 

Today I made a rangoli on the plate that holds my diya lamps. I spread honey with a q-tip, then sprinkled on white rice flour.

For more rangoli instructions check out these earlier posts: Pongal, Diwali, and Autumn Navratri. (The Diwali post also has a video of how to make a diya lamp.)

3- Journal:
During Navratri, Hindus work on their vyavhaar (behaviour) and acharan (character). Each Goddess signifies a stage of the spiritual journey we all go through: Durga’s strength and energy create's an opening, Lakshmi’s success and fortune nurtures growth, and Saraswati’s wisdom and knowledge leads to enlightenment, happiness, and peace.

For the first three days I write about my strengths- the ways that Durga shines in me- and the qualities or habits I wish to let Durga destroy.

4- Visualization and prayer:

For these three nights I honor the destructive aspect of the Mother. Durga is a warrior, rides a fierce tiger, and has 10 arms, which hold weapons and a lotus flower. She destroys evils that threaten the stability of the cosmos and helps the universe to proceed with the cycle of creation, preservation and destruction.


I pray “Thank you, Mother, for providing energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing spring to come again, and for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. You are the earth. You nourish support, protect, and mother all creatures, all beings. I ask you to help me recognize those aspects of myself that are not helpful. Give me the strength and courage to maintain my physical and mental balance, and to destroy my vices and defects so that what is good and pure has room to unfold.”

Then I picture Durga entering my heart riding on a tiger. I see Her wipe out my anger, greed, laziness, procrastination, indifference, pride, defensiveness, and jealousy.

5- Durga Mantra:
I focus on my image of Durga and chant-

• Om - the primodial sound, 
• Dum - the energy which protects from all negative influences, 
• Dur-ga-yei - goddess of strength, 
• Na-ma-ha - I pray.

(You might want to chant along with someone who knows how. Many YouTube versions exist, and my favorite is here.)

6- Make sundal: 
Many Hindus eat only vegetarian foods during Navratri; often a different sundal (dry legume dish) each night. 

Tonight I made Channa Sundal, with chickpeas- spicy and good!

Ingredients: 

• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 Tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
• salt
• 1/3 c. grated coconut
• pinch of cayenne

Yield: Serves 2-

1- Open the can of chickpeas and rinse and drain. Set aside.

2- Add oil to a wok or frying pan and heat. Add the mustard seeds to the hot oil, and stir for a few seconds, just until the seeds begin to pop.

3- Add the chickpeas and the red pepper, and mix well. Add a pinch of Asafoetida (helps with gas!), salt to taste, the grated coconut, and a pinch of cayenne. Mix and stir for few seconds then turn off the heat, cover, and let it sit for few seconds. Serve with yogurt and naan.